Police said they received a report from prison officers at around 3.05pm today that Shaun Walmsley had escaped from their custody as they were leaving the hospital, where Walmsley had had an appointment.

As the prison officers and Walmsley were getting in to a car it was reported that two other men, believed to be in possession of a gun and a knife, threatened the prison officers and demanded that they release him, before escaping in a gold coloured Volvo.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Neither of the prison guards were physically injured during the incident.

Walmsley, 28, originally of Wallace Street, Walton , was serving a minimum 30-year sentence at HMP Liverpool for his part - along with three others - in the brutal killing of Duffy as part of a feud among drug dealers.

He is described as: white, 6ft tall and of slim build with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing dark bottoms and a dark jacket.

Read More

The first man, who was believed to be armed with a gun, is described as having his face covered and he was wearing white shoes, grey tracksuit bottoms with a stripe down each side, a grey hoody and a dark coat.

The second man, who was believed to be armed with a knife, is described as having his face covered and he was wearing a green coat, dark Nike trainers and grey tracksuit bottoms.

Read More

Patrols attended at the hospital immediately, and an extensive search of the area is underway and CCTV is being sought.

An investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing and Merseyside Police is working with the Ministry of Justice and other forces across the country to establish Walmsley’s whereabouts so that he can be returned to prison.

Detectives are advising the public not to approach Walmsley if they see him, as he could be in the company of the others who helped him escape and they are believed to be armed. Walmsley himself is also described as dangerous.

Officers would ask anyone who has seen Walmsley, or knows where he is, to contact the police on 999, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.